Category: Uncategorized

How much more focus can they have?

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (AW/NAC) Mike Stevens has a strong message to Chief Petty Officers:
You’ve got to focus harder on maintaining 
good order and discipline. 
By now, the CPO community has to be tired of this steady refrain.  2012 was supposed to the the YEAR OF THE CHIEF.  Honestly, they can’t carry the whole Navy on their backs.  Eventually folks are going to get tired of every broken trail leading back to the Chiefs mess.  Time for Sailors to take individual responsibility.  It’s also time for the Navy to stop punishing the entire crew for the criminal acts of a few bad actors. 

11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month

 “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

8 signs you have found your life’s work in the Navy. 5 of 8 is not bad either.

1. It doesn’t feel like work.
Your life’s work is not a “job”– it’s a way of living.

2. You are aligned with your core values.
Your life’s work is an extension of your beliefs and worldview.

3. You are willing to suffer.
Passion comes from the latin word ‘pati,’ which means ‘to suffer.’

4. You experience frequent flow.
You naturally and often fall “in flow,” deeply immersed by your work and the present moment.

5. You make room for living.
Your work provides you the ability to live fully and enjoy life.

6. Commitment is an honor.
When you discover your life’s work, the question of commitment is easy.

7. The people who matter notice.
“You look vibrant!” and “I’ve never seen you so healthy and happy!” and “This is without question what you’re meant to be doing!” are among the comments you may hear from the people closest to you when you’re on the right path.

8. You fall asleep exhausted, fulfilled, and ready for tomorrow.
You go to sleep each night grateful for the day.

From  Amber Rae, Founder & CEO of The Bold Academy,  You can read the whole post HERE.

Number 22 in the books

Captain Michael Wiegand was fired by Commander, Navy Regional Maintenance Centers.  The Navy announced on 8 November that the commanding officer of Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, was relieved of command due to “loss of confidence in his ability to command.”
The Navy said that the the decision stems from an investigation into contracting improprieties at Southwest Regional Maintenance Center. Navy spokesman Christopher Johnson said the investigation “substantiated allegations of waste as a result of poor project management and lack of proper oversight.” He said that government funds were “misspent in a number of areas” but declined to offer any more details, saying that the investigation is ongoing.
Captain Wiegand, who took command in July 2010, will be reassigned to administrative duty.
Captain Wiegand is the 22nd naval officer in command to be fired in 2012.

Missed the point

“One of the things the decider-in-chief has to do is decide whether he’s going to bring this country together across all its diversity or let it drift apart. Look at how much stronger the American military is because it is less racist, less sexist and less homophobic and we’re just looking for people who can do the job.”
W.J. Clinton
I think the former President missed a huge point here.  I don’t believe the American military was more racist, sexist or homophobic under previous presidents.  I think the military policy makers suffered from those afflictions.  The men and women who serve in our military are far superior in their sophistication and dedication than our policy makers have ever given them credit for.

Ethics Training 2012 – Really?

We must do better than this!  I completed the 2012 Annual Ethics Training and purposely answered each of the questions incorrectly to see what might happen.  I completed the 55 part slide deck with zero correct answers and was greeted by this final slide of congratulations.  
By printing the certificate, I certified that I personally reviewed each of the 55 slides in the module.  I have to wonder how this constitutes compliance with U.S. Government Ethics requirements.

This probably explains why we continue to have problems.  Who could take this training seriously?  How could this possibly meet the training requirement?  How can this go on?  Who in a leadership position can be satisfied with a simple “check in the box”?

You can get your very own certificate (suitable for framing) HERE.

More on the Navy’s "Moral Compass"

The “standards of conduct” training for COs recently mandated by the CNO (in the wake of the firing of those involved in the “XO Movie Night” episode) is merely Scotch tape on the problem—a robust, durable, career-long emphasis is still not in place.   Once an officer has been selected for command, it is too late to try to develop integrity and character.  This absence of training for all officers to a set standard has led to a failure of leadership. Many commanding officers have shown misguided support to junior officers who display character flaws such as alcohol abuse or infidelity. “I did that when I was younger, so why should I punish them for doing the same thing?” seems to be the theme. 
Captain Mark Light
More HERE.